Greed and Ethical Lapses: Exploring The Role of Moral Disengagement and Moral Identity

Greed is linked to unethical behaviour, yet research on this relationship remains limited. This study examined how greed as a personality trait influences unethical behaviour, focus-ing on moral disengagement and moral identity. Participants (N=500) completed measures of greed, moral disengagement, and moral identity, along with a bribery acceptance task in Greek (native) and English (second language). Results showed that greed increased unethi-cal behaviour, with moral disengagement partially mediating this link by justifying immor-al actions. Moral identity moderated both the direct and indirect effects, weakening greed’s influence on unethical behaviour. Bribery acceptance was higher in the second language. These findings highlight the psychological mechanisms connecting greed, moral disen-gagement and unethical behaviour and emphasize the protective role of moral identity. A deeper understanding of these processes can contribute to the development of strategies aimed at reducing unethical conduct across different contexts.